Holiday park plans to house more Sizewell C workers

Hundreds more workers who are constructing a nuclear power plant on the Suffolk coast could be housed at a holiday park if it is given permission to expand.

Pontins Pakefield, near Lowestoft, was refurbished last year so it could accommodate as many as 500 workers who are helping to build Sizewell C 22 miles (35km) away.

Britannia Jinkey Jersey Ltd, which owns the site, has now revealed plans to develop an additional 340 caravan pitches for more contractors to use during the project.

The proposals, which have been recommended for approval, will be discussed and decided on during an East Suffolk Council planning committee meeting on Tuesday.

Britannia Hotels Group said the site would be managed with "24-hour security" and it did "not anticipate issues with anti-social behaviour".

"Our long-term vision for the site includes enhancements such as additional recreational space and family facilities," a spokesperson said.

"[This would support] its future use as a holiday destination and help to boost tourism in the area once the Sizewell C project is complete."

If approved, the development would take place in two phases – an initial phase comprising 160 pitches, followed by a second providing a further 180 pitches.

In addition to accommodation, the project would see the construction of a bus depot, footpaths, internal access roads, welfare buildings and associated infrastructure.

"The proposals include new amenity facilities, as well as landscaping and boundary fencing designed to enhance privacy and integrate the site," a Britannia spokesperson added.

"All necessary environmental surveys have also been undertaken as part of the planning process."

According to planning documents, the 24-acre site would provide accommodation for the Sizewell C construction workforce for between 10 and 15 years.

It would then be converted back for tourists, said Britannia Hotels Group, which previously provided accommodation for builders of the Hinkley Point power plant.

But the proposals have not been without their objectors.

Lowestoft Town Council recommended the "total refusal" of the plans, highlighting concerns about the infrastructure's capacity and public transport sustainability.

Elsewhere in the planning document, worries have been voiced about the "suitability of the site for prolonged worker occupation" and the "adequacy of welfare facilities".

"The welfare of workers sleeping in caravans in mid-winter and mid-summer whilst also working demanding day or evening shifts at Sizewell is paramount," it read.

Part of the site is positioned near a Site of Special Scientific Interest and sits within the zone of influence of the Outer Thames Estuary Special Protection Area.

Some of it also falls within the designated Coastal Change Management Area and is located close to Ethel Cottages, Well Cottage, and Ottawa Lodge.

Concerns were raised about how the development could impact the local area, habitats, and wildlife, not least the species of rare nesting birds, little terns.

Natural England objected to the initial proposals amid fears the birds could be disturbed or harmed and asked for guarantees they would be protected.

Labour councillor Alan Green, of East Suffolk Council, who represents the Kessingland ward, shared concerns for the people living at the site.

"I'm a caravaner myself, and in my opinion there's insufficient amenities for the people to empty their toilets and wash up," he told the BBC.

"If that place is full, there'll be queues down the road for people waiting to empty their toilet and wash up."

He also raised concerns about traffic and caravans turning off the A12.

"When Pontins was up and running... I know there haven't been any fatal accidents, but there's been some near misses."

Despite concerns, the planning officer's recommendation is for the council to "support the development" because the "benefits decisively outweigh the temporary policy conflicts".

Sizewell C also said it had "invested significantly" in the site to create "high-quality accommodation" for its workforce while "helping to reduce pressure on local housing and cutting traffic" by establishing "dedicated bus services directly to our sites".

"Lowestoft is hugely important to Sizewell C. Alongside our commitment to create 500 local jobs, we're supporting skills, training and employment opportunities through initiatives like the Nucleus Employability Hub at East Coast College," a spokesperson said.

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